Both the Penn State and the Grizzly claim CFM almost 25% greater than my old North State. Is it likely that these new machines can perform that much better with the same HP rating. I’m leaning toward the PennState due to the price, But I’d like to be sure I’m getting the performance advertised.Any help is appreciated.

Phil

16 replies so far

Statistics and rating are not accurate. It’s kind of like a 6.5hp shop vac drawing 15 amps on 110. There is no possible way, an average 5hp draws 25 amps on 220. I just want to give you a point of reference. A clear vue is a 5hp with a 15” impeller and it is only rated at 1,442. I really feel you wouldn’t gain anything over the unit you already have. If I were shopping for a DC, the things I would compare are amp ratings, impeller size, and price. These days amps are the only way to size a motor. There are too many companies padding their numbers. The static pressure numbers are garbage. There is no way for them to know what you are adding to it, Thien baffle, pipe size/length, and the resistance of the hose you use. I would measure your impeller, if it is around the 11-12” mark you will not notice any difference. I will say, at least the PS has a steel impeller, it would hold up better if something were to get through and make contact.

most of the 1.5-2hp dc’s are the same, or at least very close in performance depending on minor variations in impeller design, despite their overhyped specs. Most of the airflow is determined by impeller size, and the ability of a DC to maintain sufficient CFM at normal static pressures is mainly a function of motor size. A 2hp and under DC will suck up the chips from your machines, but do nothing to capture the fine dust.

But if your 15 year old UFO still works, then maybe an upgrade to a cartridge filter from Wynn might be the ticket for improved performance. I upgraded my Harbor Freight with a Wynn Cartridge and noticed a big increase in suction. This was due to larger surface area as compared to the stock bag. The stock bag on the Harbor Freight is about 35 sq. ft. while the Wynn is significantly more. In addition to increased air flow, the Wynn cartridge I purchased is 0.5 microns versus the stock 5 micron bag.

Here’s my Harbor Freight collector. Check out the project link for a detailed description of what I did to get what you see in the pictures below. I will say this, I added a separator with a Thien Baffle and lost some if not most of the performance I had with the Wynn. But from what I’ve read in my research this is par. But in the end I have 0.5 micron filtration and the trash can is much easier to empty than the clear collection bag

+10 on the Wynn filter upgrade on the HF DC unit. I did mine about two years after using the cloth bag filter. My point is that you can start with a smaller investment in the HF DC unit and add the Wynn filter later, thus allowing you time to afford a better unit over time.

I would take your current DC and measure the impeller.Then measure the amp draw.

I can’t imagine going from one 2hp to another. And I would NOT switch a current 2hp unit for the HF which is really a 1.5 hp unit. 2hp runs on 220 not 110 like the HF unit.

I personally would avoid the Penn State, there have been a number of reviews over the years both pro and con, but the cons outweighed the pros in my mind. While cheaper, you are getting cheaper, thinner housing, smaller impeller. Their cyclone is over rated. If I had a 2hp and was looking to upgrade, it would be to 3hp or 5hp. Definetly not from 2hp to 2hp. That’s not worth switching for. Maybe you should just take your current unit and add a Wynn filter and bag with a thien separator. Maybe purchase an impeller if your motor is really a 2hp motor. if your amps are low enough that might be the upgrade you need, a larger impeller.

woodchuckerNJ I couldn’t have said it better. I totally agree to up sizing the impeller, the only trouble I have found is sourcing the impeller. Also shaft sizing may be a problem. The only place I have found readily available impellers at, is clear-vue. They offer a 15”, and a 16”. More than 2 hp can handle. When I was building my cyclone system, I did a lot of reading and corresponding with Bill Pentz. I have a true 3hp and he informed me that my motor would work with the 15”, but I would be at the max on amp draw. I feel a true 2hp 220 motor might be ok with a 14” impeller after you got the restrictions of a separator, and piping. at it’s most open it might be too much. There is tons of factual reading material at Bill Pentz's page. I would start there. Be careful not to drink the koolaid, but lots of good info.

I’d like to thank everyone for their help. Today I spoke to a sales rep at Penn State Ind. He confirmed what I’ve been told here. The Penn State unit won’t be much, if any improvement over the unit I currently own.

I was in Grizzly a few years ago looking at the display of 2 and 3 HP collectors. I was just comparing and wishing at the time. Another customer walked by and without slowing up he said get the largest you can. I had to get a larger one. With that said I think he had gotten a 2 hp then changed to a 3 hp and had lost some money by being the first owner of a tool. I bought a Clearvue and personally I think it is great. I feel that the cost is comparable to other brands when you compare HP and suction. Mine came with a remote control. I chose to make the dust box that goes under the filters. My thinking is why would I drive a toy truck when I could be in a Kenworth. Get all you need and all you can afford the first time out. My shop is 30’ x 40’.